The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-19
HON. M. L. EDWARDS.

We give herewith the article promised
last week, slightly condensed, from the
Mount Pleasant, Iowa, local paper, in
memory of Br. M. L. Edwards, of that
city:
cat his residence in this city, on Mon
day afternoon, Oct "a, 1887, Martin Luz
Their Edwards. The deceased was born
in Litchfield county, Conn, Nov. 6, 1910.
When eleven years old he removed with
his parents to Orange county, N. Y.
Five years later the family removed to
Garfield, Trumbull county, o. For
number of years he taught school and
also read law for time. Before finish
ing his course he became interested in
silk culture, more especially in the Gull
ture OF the nsorus naulticaulus, the COM
mon mulberry, in the town of Switzerland,
Ind. This enterprise not proving remu-
nerative, he disposed of his interest and
returned to- Ohio. In 1841 he entered the
Universalist ministry, and for ten years
served the denomination Of his choice as
minister. He preached the first Uni
versalist sermon in Mt Pleasant, on Sun.
day, Oct. %, 1S47. The room used was q
part Of DR.. Birds house on North Main
street. On November %. 1847, Mr.. Ed
wards married Lucy r. Loring, in Wash
ington county, Ohio. He soon after re-
moved to Mt. Pleasant, which has ever
since been his home.
SIN 1851 he was chosen Judge of the
county court on the peoples ticket, and
served the people of the county for four
years. In 1864 he was admitted to the
bar, his practice being mainly confined to
probate matters. In 1857 he was called
to serve as treasurer by the building
committee then having in charge the
erection Of the Insane Asylum and con-
tinued to act as treasurer till the compile
ton of the building in 1862 After that
time he was chosen to the same office by
the board Of trustees of that institution
and continued in that capacity till 1874.
He had also during this time served as
Der OF the school board.
"Mrs. Edwards died in May, 1870, leav-
ing no children. Mrs. E. Curtiss, wild
owed sister, and daughter Alice came
from California and took charge of the
home, and continued her duties till her
death in April, 1885, since that the daugh-
ter and niece, Miss Alice, has had charge.
"a year or more after the death of Mrs.
Edwards, the deceased was afflicted with
diseased foot. which was very pair full
and kept him confined to his room for
near year, and for q number of years
he walked with crutches. The foot never
became sound, although during his later
years he dispensed with his crutches and
used cane. Last spring, in company
with his niece, he went to Ohio, to visit a
brother and other old acquaintance at
his former home, and in the hope that
the change might improve his health.
The change did not improve his health
and he returned weak and worn to his
home, the fore part of September He
was only able to greet his many friends
here at his home. His disease was dys-
pepsia, and at times distressing, and
despite the medical skill and careful
nursing it triumphed over the vital forces
and death ensued.
"Thus terminated long and useful life.
As man, upright and public spirited, as
neighbor obliging and thoughtful, no
one went empty handed from his dooS
AS husband always thoughtful and ten
der; as guardian, careful and trusty; as
public official, rigidly honest even to
the smallest item; in his church relations
earnest, active and charitable, and in all
matters it can be truly said of him he
was faithful To the church OF his choice
located here, he was like father, always
ready to serve it by word and deed, and
although his religious convictions were
earnest and positive, there was nothing
like bigotry in his make up. To every
effort to make the world better he gave
ready ard warm support In political
matters he was always active, but his &C.
ton was for principles more than men or
party. While slavery hourished he acted
with the anti-slavery party, and he was
equally active in the cause OF temperance.
He was frie and sdmirer of such men
as Horace Greeley and Peter Cooper. His
death takes one more from the fast di-
minishing living roll of the old settlers OF
Henry county.
"His long, eventful and useful life is fin
ished. OF him it may be truthfully said,
he has finished the work and finished it
well, that was given him to do. On his
tomb can truthtully be written: He was
faithful Faithful to his friends, faithful
to his family, faithful to his country,
faithful to the world and faithful to his
God.
"'But strew his ashes 10 the wind
Whose sword or voice has served mankind,
And is he dead. whose glorious mind
Lifts thine on high?
To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not TO die